Barricades removed from Mamata Banerjee’s residence, Harish Chatterjee Street opens after years

A significant visual and symbolic shift unfolded in Kolkata on Tuesday as police removed barricades from outside Mamata Banerjee’s residence at 30B, Harish Chatterjee Street, restoring public access to a stretch that had remained heavily restricted for nearly a decade. The move comes in the immediate aftermath of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly election results, which saw a major political change in the state.

For years, the area around the residence functioned under strict security protocols, with blue-and-white guardrails limiting entry and movement. Access was tightly controlled, and even local residents were required to verify their identity to enter the locality. The street had effectively operated as a high-security zone, reflecting its status as a key political centre.

From Tuesday morning, authorities began dismantling these barriers, gradually reopening the road to normal public movement. While some police presence and kiosks remain in place, the earlier intensity of security arrangements has visibly eased, allowing free movement of pedestrians, residents, and visitors without routine questioning.

The development follows Mamata Banerjee’s electoral defeat in the Bhabanipur constituency, marking a turning point in the state’s political landscape. The removal of barricades from the front of her long-time residence is being seen as a symbolic end to a phase when the location was closely associated with administrative authority and power.

Local residents described the change as a return to normalcy, with the street regaining its earlier character after years of restricted access. Despite the easing of security, authorities are expected to maintain a basic level of vigilance in view of past incidents and the continued prominence of the location.